Principal Distribution Engineer

Principal Distribution Engineer – Permanent Full Time – Perth CBD

Own the technical direction of one of WA’s most critical distribution networks. As Principal Distribution Engineer, you’ll provide authoritative engineering leadership across the full lifecycle of distribution assets—shaping standards, solving complex network challenges, and influencing how the network performs today and into the future.

Your Role in Action  

• Provide technical leadership in making defensible, cost-effective asset management decisions based on failure data, condition data, performance data and asset knowledge.
• Lead and provide expert technical analysis and guidance for chronic (recurring) failure investigations and crisis situations (call outs and repairs).
• Researches and identifies advanced condition monitoring techniques for cost effective management of distribution asset reliability.
• Lead the continual optimisation of the rolling two-year annual plan based on ongoing condition data and deliverability.
• Lead and provide expert technical analysis for the creation of work planning reports and business cases for CAPEX investments.
• Builds strong relationships with key stakeholders to drive interactions on whole of life cost / performance optimisation for the distribution network.
• Persuade and influence internal and external stakeholders to achieve outcomes that benefit Western Power.
• Undertake high level investigation and identification of root cause analysis on complex failures.
• Design, implement and apply frameworks for failure classification and validation processes.
• Provide subject matter expertise for ‘introduction to service’ and ‘operational readiness’ for new assets.
• Prioritise and deliver the program of works in alignment with the Access Arrangement and Network Plan.

 What Makes You a Great Fit 

• Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree
• Registered member of Engineers Australia as chartered professional engineer or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Electricity industry experience
• Comprehensive and broad engineering experience
• Expert experience in incident investigations and root cause analysis
• Specialist asset class knowledge
• Strong financial analysis skills, demonstrating business acumen
• Advanced stakeholder management with the ability to persuade, influence and negotiate successful outcomes
• Advanced change management and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

By joining Western Power, you will contribute to powering a cleaner energy future. We are dedicated to fostering career development and promoting a healthy work-life balance, empowering you to drive innovation as we develop a network that will serve the Western Australian community for generations. You will also benefit from a range of perks and opportunities, including: 

• Over 50% of our employment opportunities are driven by career progression.  
• Flexible work arrangements to support part time work, working hours and working from home arrangements. 
• The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year. 
• Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership. 
• An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme. 
• An innovative team culture that’s enabling the transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation.  
• In addition to standard leave, enjoy three wellness leave days each year.
• Access to end-of-trip facilities at our Perth office and South Metro Depot, perfect for cyclists.
• 22 weeks paid parental leave and 5 days of First Nations cultural leave to support family and cultural connections.

Applications close on 5 May 2026

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and LGBTQIA+ communities. As a WORK180-endorsed employer for women, we are proud of our commitment to inclusion. You can learn more about this through our Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. 

Learn more about Western Power here: About (westernpower.com.au) 

Find out how we’re building A Network for Life: A network for life (westernpower.com.au)